The seventh Africa Hotel Investment Forum, hosted this year in Rwanda, is set to focus on the major challenges and opportunities facing the hospitality industry in Africa.
Bench Events managing director Matthew Weihs, organiser of AHIF, said: “AHIF is renowned as the place where conversations lead to firm projects and the private and public sectors come together to form mutually beneficial partnerships.
“Our cast of high-level experts is attracting significant interest from delegates across the globe, with attendance set to increase on previous years.”
AHIF is taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre in Kigali from October 4-6, 2016.
The economic outlook for Africa will be discussed, as Lars Christensen, founder and owner of Markets and Money Advisory and a senior fellow at London’s Adam Smith Institute, will share his insights into the opportunities and risks in the midst of economic turbulence in Africa.
Developing tourism infrastructure in the continent will also be in the spotlight. Dr. Wolfgang Thome, publisher, ATC News, will discuss with Fastjet chief commercial officer Richard Bodin, RwandAir CEO John Mirenge, and The Rezidor Hotel Group president and CEO Wolfgang Neumann about what lessons can be learnt from other parts of the world and what the global players need to see to drive investment. They will explore the link between aviation development and hotel investment in Africa and discuss common challenges detailing how can the two industries work together to develop a co-ordinated approach to tourism development.
A one-on-one interview with Alex Kyriakidis, president & managing director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, is set to uncover details of the deal with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and the implications for the hotel industry in Africa.
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In an age when tackling political and security risk is important, Africa Practice COO Richard Kiplagat will discuss the most pressing current and future threats and how businesses can safeguard their assets and their people. Col. Silas Udahemuka, director general, Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, will follow on with a conversation as to how they are tackling these challenges.
Thomas Emmanuel, director of business development, STR will review hotel performance in Africa and reveal what has changed in the last 12 months. In addition, AHIF will release its annual pipeline update, with W Hospitality MD Trevor Ward set to reveal what new properties are coming online in the near future and he will consider where Africa is seeing a supply/demand gap
Filippo Sona, director - head of hotels (MENA), Colliers International will give an account of the real opportunities in key Sub-Saharan markets. He will consider the real number of rooms which can be supported by the market and what returns will come from hotels.
Furthermore, an expert panel will look at overcoming the main challenges in hotel development. They will discuss the current investment environment, given shifts in the economy and debate the options in securing funding for projects asking what is it that the banks, investors and financiers looking for. Panellists include: Azalaï Hotels Group CEO Mossadeck Bally, Swedfund International AB head of regional office Henrik Nordlander, and Joram Sengendo from Private Equity Hotel Investments, CDC Group.
Successfully transacting in Africa is another focus point. Xander Nijnens, senior vice president, hotels & hospitality group, Sub-Saharan Africa, JLL and Alex Smertnik, vice president, hospitality investments, Quantum Global Alternative Investments AG will focus on the transactions process in Africa, from due diligence to exit. They will share with the audience those who have successfully transacted in the region on the challenges they faced along the way, how they overcame those hurdles and what it takes to complete an investment lifecycle in Africa.
Other key sessions include: making the best of natural assets – how Rwanda built a lucrative and sustainable tourism industry around gorilla conservation; developing talent in Africa’s hospitality sector; from concept to opening: the hotel development process; and innovations in design.
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